Artificial arm



June 20, 1950 M, HA ER 2,512,526

ARTIFICIAL ARM Filed March 22, 1949 INVENTOR. I

$9 W flamwu BY MM B Q ATT'OENEY Patented June 20, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE I I I 2,512,32 f

. ARTIFICIAL ARM v John Maria Hauser, Takoma Park,.M d asslgnor to House of Modern MedicalAppliances Company, TakomaParmMdsaflrm I Application March zz, 1949"; Serial No. 82,739 I shoulder harness by the wearer. to release the binding means at the elbow joint, whereupon the forearm may again be lowered to its fully out-, stretched limit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel means for binding and releasing the hinged elements of the upper arm'and forearm positions at the elbow joint.

I will explain the invention with reference .to

the accompanying drawing which illustrates one practical embodiment thereof, to enable others familiar with the art to adopt and use the same; and will summarize in the claims, I the novel features of construction, and novel combinations of parts, for which protection is desired.

In said drawing: I Figure 1 is a side elevationpf the artificial 15 Claims. (Cl. 3-42) I wcoaxiany pf the ns for the purpose hereinafter described, said arcuate portions"3b being substantially 18Qdegrees in length and having at their lower ends limiting pins 30 for the purpose hereinafter described;

Hinge ly mounted on the pin] between the ears .3 is asubstantially circular plate 5 having an enlarging arcuate, portion 5a beyond which extends a substantially triangular portion 5b having its a xis offset from the axis of pin 4 and "having its,' base overlying the arcuate portions I 3b of the ears 3, said plate 5 also having an extension it; which is secured to an arm or bracket 6 by screw 1 or the like, the bracket 6 being bifurcated as at 6e (Fig. ,2) and fitting within therear end of the forearm portion 2 and being arm showing the forearm in normal outstretched position withrespect to the upper arm portion.

Fig.2is a front" elevation of the'parts shown" in Fig. .1.

Fig. '3 isa sideelevation, partly in section,

through the elbow hinge, showing the binding and releasing means, the forearm being shown in substantially right-angle relation to the upper arm portion. I I h As shown, the artificial arm preferably comprises an upper arm socket portion l which may be of conventional shapeadapted to receive the shoulder arm stub of the wearer, also a' forearm portion 2 which may also be of conventional shape, the parts being connected by my novel elbow hinge so as to permit the forearm por tion to be pivoted from a position in substantial alignment with the j upper arm portion l, as

shown in Fig. 1, into a position at substantially right angles thereto, as shown in Fig. 3.

The hinge preferably comprises a pair of spaced ear elements 3 extending downwardly from the lower end of the upper arm portion I in parallel relation, as shown in Fig. 2', the same having at their lower ends aligned bores 3a adaptedto receive a pivot pin 4, the lower, ends of ears 3 being also provided with arcuate pork tions 3b on theirforward edges thereof disposed secured thereto by screws 8 'or the like. As shown in Fig. 3, the angle between the adjacent edges of extension and the triangular portion 5b is acute (approximately 30), for thepurpose here inafter described.

In the plate 5 opposite the arcuate portion 3b is an opening 5d (Fig, 3) through which passes a pin 9 of sufficient length to seat directly upon the arcuate portions 3b so as to bind the plate 5 against the arcuate portions 3b when the pin 9 is shifted towards the ears 3, and thereby lock the forearm portion 2 in adjusted angularity' with respect to the upper arm portion l. I Pivoted at in on the triangular portion 5b at a point beyond the pin 9 is apin actuating member ll ofsubstantial U-shaped cross-section having side legs overlying the faces of portion 5bv which are ,perforate'dto receive the pivot pin ID, the legs being connected together as at Ila around the edge of: triangular portion 5b adjacent the arm5c. Member II is provided with slots, llb extending upwardly from the lower edgeslof the side legs receiving the ends of the pin-9, whereby as the member H is pivoted on pin ID, the pin 9 will. be shifted substantially tangentially of the arcuateportions 3b, there by releasing the binding grip of pin 9 on said arcuate portions 32), thus permitting the forearm 2 to be swung downwardly intooutstretched relation with respectto the upper arm portion l, as indicated in Fig. 1,'the movement being limited by contact of pin 9 against the limiting pins 3c'herelnbefore. described. The member ll is normally yieldably swungso as to maintain the pin 9.in binding engagement with the arcuate portions 3b.

On the outerend of the member II is pivoted, as at [2, a member I3 which is secured to a flexible cord M which lies in a groove 5az provided therefor in the arcuate portion 5a of plate 5, the groove serving as a guide therefor. The cord l4 passes under a grooved pulley I6 which is journaled on a pin l1 between the ears 3 of the upper arm portion I, the cord 14 being 5 actuated by the shoulder harness (not shown) of the wearer,, so,-that -astcordfl eisp l led; the-.1; member vl3, will; be swung downwardly toward the plate 5.

The member H is normally yieldably III'EEdgpi-Qi in the direction to bind the pin 9 on the arcuate portions 31) by means of a flat spring 18 which is confined between the facephthe triangular, portion 5b and the wall Ila of Ln-the-..--member 1L.- 1

with its lower end contacting the adjacent edgeeli slots in their lower edges receiving the locking of the arm 50, and its upper endwcontacting the, under side of the member 13.

By the above construction, since the lowcr end r v of spring 18 engages at anobtuse angle the upper face of l the, ,arm ,5 c,,it is. obvious that, ,themember. .20 II will ,be.=normally?- rged Itorota'teiin a clock-r. wise directionwig-1 3.), aboutlthe, pivot l8 soiash to bind the pin 9 against thearcuateportions 312,1 However, as soon as the fleiiiblefcord liis pulled thetmember. H I will. be .fpi'vot'edonJ the pi'n. .ip in anti-clockwise. direction; sufficiently ,to. move-. the". pin, ,9 substantially tangentiaily. out ofLbindina engagement .With,.,the arc'uate portions 36 Bylthe ,above construction the, Wearerhmay l at any-timemovethe f orearmlportion, Zby, contact withga fixed-,objectupwardly' into desired angulare relation withv respect ,to the upper arm portion (,l, and. said forearm portion will betrictionallybound bythepina seastorem'ain-in such angular posia; tion, untilra pulLon. the. flexible cord; 14 .is' exerted Whicdwill pivot the, member.. l 1,. therebyrreieasf-v, in the. p n .9, from said.bin ingrensaisement with, the arcuate portionsfiliie.

I dornot limit m in'vention tethebXact form. shown in the drawing, for obviouslychanges may i 40 betmaderthereinvwithingthe scopeof the claims;

1. In an artificial ,arm having an .upper-- arm portion ,and, a forearm portio n,'. angelbow. ".iointr connecti'ngbaid portionscompri'singan ear: .ex a tending =fromthe; upper 'arm portion, a hinge pin carniedbysaidean the, iorwardedgeof the earzbee ing arcuate coaxially; oflthe, pin a plate journaled on the; pin, said plate having arsulostantialiytriangulari portion withv itsZ basesubstantially'pverlying thaarcuate portion of, the ear and its apex o.uter-.v most;.,an armgon said. plate,connectdrwithfthe,l forearm portion, .an ang'l'e'lbetween the adjacent, edges of the arm,and,triahgulairportion being acute; a locking rpinlmovably carried'bythe Plate and=adaptedto seat upon. said ar'cuate portion; means jounnaledontthe triangrilai-Ilportion for shifting, the. locking pin substantially tangentially" .I of the arcuate portions 'nieansjfor normally1yield-,, ably-urging, said shifting. .meansto bring the lock-1' marlin-into, binding. contact .with thesai'd' arcuate Dortion; ,and,,means,..for moving the, Said shift; ingMrneans, in the, opposite., direction, to release s idi-b dinae t. a. I v I 2. .In. anartificialfarm asset forth i-inclaim, 1; 6 a lugnontherarcuate portion, of the ear adapted tobelengageiby the locking pin-1 tolim'it the hinging movement. I v

3. ,In an artificial arm as set. forth'iin" claim 1-, sai'djshifting means comprisinga substantially U -shaped member havingside' legs providedwith' 4. In an artificial arm as set forth in claim 1. said shifting means comprising a substantially U-shaped member having side legs provided with slots in their lower edges receiving the locking pin, the base of the member being disposed between the adjacent edges of the triangular portion and, the arm.. of the.plate;.. and. said urging means: comprising? a flatvspring confined: between the base of the U-shaped member and the adjacent face of the triangular portion, and having one end slidably engaging the adjacent face of 1 the arm of the plate at an acute angle.

5. Juan artificial arm as set forth in claim 1, said; shif-ting,,means comprising a substantially iU-shapedemember having side legs provided with faceof'fthe triahgulanportion," and having one end-fs'lidablyi engag'ing the adjacentlface of the arm .4of 1 the [plate' at an acute angle; and'i'said movingmeans comprising'a member pivoted at the outer endo'f the U-shaped member, the under side 10f which 'is engige'd by the opposite .end of; theiiat spring, and a flexible cord attached to.

said. pivoted member and extending through guides whereby as the cord, is pulled the pivoted memberjwill be'swun's against the action of'the 67in an artificial arm having an. upper arm: portion and a forearm. portion, anielbow'joint corihectihgsiidportions! comprising a pair of spaced jparallel ears extending, from the upper arm portion, a hinge pincarried by said ears, the

iorwardedges ofthe ears being arcuate coaxially ,ofthe1,pin;; a.plate between the ears journaled on the; pin said plate having-a substantiallyitriangular portion with-its base substantially overlyinglthe,arcuate portionsiofuthei ears and its apex outermost an arm on said plate -connectedv withltheifoi'earm portiom-theangle between theadjacent edges of the arm and triangular portion. being acute; saidiplate having a slot therein opposite the arcuate portions of the ears; a lock-v.

ingepinextending, through, said slot and adapted V tosea'tlupon .said ,arcuate portions; means.- journaled on the triangular portion for shifting. the.

locking pin. substantially. tangentially of the arcua-te =.po rti ons; ,meansfor normally. yieldablyurging-said shifting means to bring .the. locking pin-intobindingmontact .with the said arcuate portions; and means for moving the saidshifting.

meansto release said binding contact.

7.. In Mani artificial. arm, as .set forth. in claim 6,

lug'se-on therarcuate vportions. of the. ears adapted totbemengaged-by the lOCkiIlg pin to'limititheir hinging movement.

8;,In an. artificial arm as setforth in claim 6, said'.,sh ifting ,means comprising a substantially U -sliap.e dlmember. having, side legs, provided with slots in theirulower edges receiving the locking pin, the. base .of the member being disposed between the adjacent, edges-of the; triangular portion and thelarm .of the plate.-

9. Inanartificialarm as set forth'in claim 6, said .7 shifting means comprising ,a substantially U- -shaped, member having side legs provided with slots intheir jlower edges receiving the locking pin, theflbase .of the member being disposed between the adjacent edges of the. triangular portion'andtheiarmpf the plate; .and said urging means comprising a flat springconfinedbetween the base of the U-shaped member and the adjacent face of the triangular portion, and having one end slidably engaging the adjacent face of the arm of the plate at an acute angle.

10. In an artificial arm as set forth in claim 6, said shifting means comprising a substantially U-shaped member having side legs provided with slots in their lower edges receiving the locking pin, the base of the member being disposed between the adjacent edges of the triangular portion and the arm of the plate; said urging means comprising a fiat spring confined between the base of the U-shaped member and the adjacent face of the triangular portion, and having one end slidably engaging the adjacent face of the arm of the plate at an acute angle; and said moving means comprising a member pivoted at the outer end of the U-shaped member the under side of which is engaged by the opposite end of the flat spring, and a flexible cord attached to said pivoted member and extending through guides whereby as the cord is pulled the pivoted member will be swung against the action of the fiat spring.

11. In an artificial arm having an upper arm portion and a forearm portion, an elbow joint connecting said portions comprising a pair of spaced parallel ears extending from the upper arm portion, a hinge pin carried by said ears, the forward edges of the ears being arcuate throughout substantially 180 in. length coaxially of the pin; a plate between the ears journaled on the pin, said plate having a substantially triangular portion with its base substantially overlying the arcuate portions of the ears and its apex outermost; an arm on said plate connected with the upper end of the forearm portion, the angle between the adjacent edges of the arm and triangular portion being acute; said plate having a slot therein opposite the arcuate portion of the ears; a locking pin extending through said slot and adapted to seat upon said arcuate portions; means journaled on the triangular portion beyond the locking pin for shifting the locking pin substantially tangentially of the arcuate portions; means for normally yieldably urging said shifting means to bring the locking pin into binding contact with the said arcuate portions; and means for moving the said shifting means in the opposite direction to release said binding contact.

12. In an artificial arm as set forth in claim 11, lugs on the arcuate portions of the ears adapted to be engaged by the locking pin to limit the hinging movement.

13. In an artificial arm as set forth in claim 11, said shifting means comprising a substantially U-shaped member having side legs provided with slots in their lower edges receiving the locking pin, the base of the member being disposed between the adjacent edges of the triangular portion and the arm of the plate.

14. In an artificial arm as set forth in claim 11, said shifting means comprising a substantially U-shaped member having side legs provided with slots in their lower edges receiving the locking pin, the base of the member being disposed between the adjacent edges of the triangular portion and the arm of the plate; and said urging means comprising a flat spring confined between the base of the U-shaped member and the adjacent face of the triangular portion, and having one end slidably engaging the adjacent face of the arm of the plate at an acute angle.

15. In an artificial arm as set forth in claim 11, said shifting means comprising a substantially U-shaped member having side legs provided with slots in their lower edges receiving the locking pin, the base of the member being disposed between the adjacent edges of the triangular portion and the arm of the plate, and said urging means comprising a flat spring confined between the base of the U-shaped member and the adjacent face of the triangular portion, and having one end slidably engaging the adjacent face of the arm of the plate at an acute angle, and said moving means comprising a member pivoted at the outer end of the U-shaped member the under side of which is engaged by the opposite end of the flat spring, and a flexible cord attached to said pivoted member and extending through guides whereby as the cord is pulled the pivoted member will be swung against the action of the flat spring.

JOHN MARIA HAUSER.

No references cited. 

